Silchar: Roads, bridges and residential areas across several parts of the Barak Valley have been damaged due sever river erosion triggered by pre-monsoon rains, sparking panic among residents and prompting joint action by the water resources and PWD departments.In North Karimganj’s Dharkona village, severe erosion by the Longai river has washed away a portion of a key rural road near a mosque, disrupting connectivity for several localities. Residents said rising river levels due to continuous rainfall caused the embankment to collapse suddenly, leaving hundreds of villagers stranded.Residents fear the situation may worsen if heavy rainfall continues over the next few days, posing risks to homes, farmland and religious structures. Newly elected MLA Zakaria Ahmed and zilla parishad vice-chairperson Sathi Roy Kuri separately visited the affected areas and assured temporary relief measures, including construction of a bamboo bridge to restore movement.Multiple areas under the Udharbond constituency have come under threat from erosion caused by the Barak, Madhura and Doloo rivers. On Sunday, officials of the two departments jointly inspected erosion-hit areas following an initiative by Udharbond MLA Rajdeep Goala.The team visited Simultala in Rangpur Karatigram, where erosion by the Barak river has badly affected a PWD road. Engineers discussed measures to curb further erosion and plans for sustainable road construction to protect connectivity in the region.Officials said a large sandbar near Malugram had altered the river’s flow, intensifying erosion in Simultala. The water resources department said anti-erosion measures would be initiated shortly, while the PWD pledged technical support for road protection works.Officials also reviewed progress of the Karatigram-Madhuramukh bridge project. According to engineers, nearly 90% of the bridge work and around 60% of the approach road construction have been completed.Similar scenes have emerged from Asaighat village in Patharkandi constituency of Sribhumi district, where residents alleged that severe erosion by the Longai river is swallowing houses, roads and agricultural land. Several families have already shifted to safer locations, while many more remain vulnerable along the riverbank.Villagers have urged the administration and elected representatives to take immediate steps for permanent embankments and construction of a concrete bridge to prevent further devastation and restore safe communication in the affected areas.
